A Voice from the Eastern Door
A Voice from the Eastern Door
Safety training course set up at the Senior’s Center.
Instructor Chip Macdonald explains the situation before the class begins.
Safety first as Troy Diabo joins Lorne Clute up on the scaffold.
Getting help with the first tier of the scaffold.
Lorne Clute and Troy Diabo assemble the scaffold during last week’s training.
Harvey Arquette Sr. and Charlene Thompson in the disassembling group observe the scaffold demonstration.
On to the third tier of the scaffold assembly, where safety is key.
Assembling the scaffold during training.
Instructor Chip Macdonald never misses an opportunity to explain the key elements of safety with his students.
On March 19 and 20, over 30 general contractors of various trades met at the Senior’s Center in Hogansburg for an Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) scaffolding safety training course hosted by Ironworkers local 440. The course was taught by instructor Chip Macdonald, President of Best Safety LLC, a company that provides over 30 different OSHA safety training courses. The scaffolding course is one of the most popular and is ideal for just about every trade including ironworking, carpenters, pipe fitters, electricians, safety inspectors and many more.
The two-day course consisted of intense training on safety equipment and the different types of scaffolding and what they are used for. On the last day, the class was divided into two groups: the first group practiced hands-on how to properly erect a scaffold and the final group worked on dismantling it. All the while Macdonald was on hand providing encouragement and instruction.
Macdonald has over 15 years experience teaching courses and says that he takes about as many courses as he teaches. He has been coming to Akwesasne to teach for several years now.
“I hope to keep coming,” said Macdonald. “People are real nice to me up here.”
And, the students really enjoyed working with their instructor. They said that he was always open for comment and explained things very well.
It was Harvey Arquette Sr. first time attending scaffolding training and he was representing his son Jack Arquette’s construction business Arquette Sr. said “the business has served scaffolds and they need to know how use scaffolding and “I have a lot of faith in my son. He really pushes the safety a lot and whatever we pick up we will always use.”
Scaffolding safety training is just one of the many important safety trainings recommended for general contractors of all trades. For more information on the course and others offered you can call the Ironworks local 440 at (518) 358 - 4288.
Photos by Mary La France
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